The Journey to Bowie
How Our Golden Boy Came Home.
I’m so excited to share the story of how we brought our sweet golden retriever, Bowie, into our lives. It has been quite the adventure!
So, for some context: I’m originally from Georgia, but now Thomas (Bowie’s other human) and I are living our best life in sunny San Diego. When we decided to get a puppy, we were beyond excited; however, finding the right breeder turned into a bit of a chaotic saga.
Beginning our Search
We kicked off our puppy hunt by searching for breeders in the area. However, every time we found one we liked, there was a waitlist literally longer than my list of Netflix shows to binge. After months of hunting and feeling a bit discouraged, we finally discovered a pair of gorgeous golden retriever parents in Michigan. We jumped in headfirst and put down a deposit, only to later be hit with the news that the mom didn’t take to breeding. We were so sad.
Back to the Drawing Board
Not wanting to give up, we kept looking, and that’s when we found an incredible pair of golden retrievers in Lexington, Kentucky. Just when we thought we had it figured out, Thomas’ cousin decided that he wanted a puppy too. We obviously hoped to get siblings, but this new breeder only had one puppy left.
I planned to drive to Kentucky to pick up Bowie; however, last minute, the breeder threw a curveball and let us know she had another puppy available—hello, Ollie! Just like that, Bowie and Ollie became inseparable brothers.
My mom and I drove from Atlanta to Lexington, stayed the night, and picked up the boys in the morning. We all hit the road for a 5-hour trip back to Georgia, and let me tell you, they were the best little co-pilots EVER. We filled the car with puppy snuggles and a lot of “isn’t he the cutest?” moments. I honestly couldn’t believe I was finally bringing my dream pup home!
Heading Home
The flight back to San Diego was interesting. The airline I flew with, Delta, required we fit both puppies into the same carrier. I was a bit nervous about how they’d handle it and/or if they would even fit together. BUT Bowie and Ollie were both total rockstars!
The breeder recommended we add ice packs to the carrier since little pups can heat up so easily (this was genius and I highly recommend you do the same if you’re ever in a similar situation). The boys charmed everyone around us on the plane with their sweet demeanor, and I couldn’t have been prouder at how well-behaved they were as they snuggled together. I actually think they did better being with each other versus if they’d been in separate carriers.
New Beginnings
Once we landed, it was like a dream come true. Ollie went home with his parents, and both he & Bowie have settled in beautifully — it’s been amazing watching them together. They’ve already formed a bond that’s so heartwarming. Seriously, the way they romp around is the sweetest thing ever!
Having Bowie in our lives has filled our days with so much joy, laughter, and puppy love. I’m grateful for every twist and turn that led us to him, and I can’t wait to share all our future adventures with you!
Bowie (right) and Ollie (left) in the car ride from Lexington to Atlanta.
